Internal-combustion engine.



N0. 704,060. Patented My 0, I902.

F. usnan.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

A imcazion filed July 27, 1001.

(No Model.) 0 4 Sheets$h0et I.

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No. 704,060. Patented July 0, I902.

r. LISTER.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE (Application filed July 27, 1901.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W W-m m: NORRIS PETERS co PuoToumQ, WASHINGTON. D. c.

No. 704,060. Patented July 8, I902.

F. LISTER.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

(Application filed July 27, 1901.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(RAM b w atGM/rwys Ya: mum; PETERS 00.. motouwou wASHmMon. u. c.

No; 704,060. Patented July 8, I902.

F. LISTER.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

(Application filed July 27, 1901.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT Fries".

FRANK LISTER, OF KEIGHLEY, ENGLAND.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 704,060, dated July 8, 1902.

Application filed July 27,1901. Serial No. 69,925. (No model.)

'and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of specification.

My invention relates to'gas, oil, and like explosion or internal-combustion engines; and it consists in the improvements hereinafter described and claimed, said improvements having for their object, first, to cause an effective explosion for each revolution of the crank and to permit the exploded gases to expand to a larger volume before escaping than the volume of the charge of combustible or explosive gases prior to its compression, and, secondly, to effect the discharge of the spent gases from the combustion-chamber in such manneras to leave the explosive mixture of gases therein as free from contamination by the spent gases as possible.

Figure l is a sectional elevation of a gas, oil, or like explosion or internal-combustion engine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of my improved engine. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional side and top views,-respective1y, of parts illustrated by Fig. 3, the pistons being shown in their relative positions at the commencement of compressing the charge. Fig. 6 is a diagram of my improved engine, showing the relative positions of'the pistons at the commencement of the exhaust. Fig. 7 is a similar diagram to Fig. 6, but shows the pistons at the extremity of their outward stroke. Fig. 8 is also a similar diagram to Fig. 6, but shows the addition of another cylinder to act as hereinafter described.

Similarfigures and letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

To attain the object of my invention, it is essential that at least two cylinders and their operating-pistons and a common explosivechamber be employed, and as two such cylinders and the parts operating in connection therewith are sufficient to show how my invention may be carried into effect I have limwhich the following is a ited the drawings to this arrangement, (with the exception of Fig. 8,) since from the following description it will be seen how the additional cylinders and parts may be made use of to arrive at the same or similar results. These cylinders a I) (having an explosivechamber a; common to both) I preferably mount in their casings or supports a to be about parallel to each other, so that their pistons 01 e may be coupled by the rodsf g to the triangular piece or three-armed lever h by the pins 101, said piece h having its outer arm or end coupled to the crank 12., while it is supported by the lever 0, to which it is pivotally connected by the pin 0, said lever 0 being mounted upon the shaft 0 carried by the casing or support 0. On the crank-shaft n is mounted the usual balance-wheel n and when such wheel is desired to be driven in the direction indicated by the arrow a I form the feed-port p (for receiving the explosive mixture, such as air and coal-gas or other hydrocarbon) in the cylinder 1), while I arrange the exhaust-port p to occupy a position in the cylinder at, their positions relatively with each other and with their respective pistons. d 6 throughout the differential movements ofthese latter being such as to enable the exploded gases or charge to expand beyond the volume at or from which its compression co'mmenced,-the said several relative positions being hereinafter more clearly defined.

Whenutilizingthe suction of the pistons d 6 during their movements beyond their positions where the piston d uncovers the exhaust-port p'to draw in the explosive charge, I then mount Valves d and 6 (see Fig. 2) in these exhaust and feed ports 19 p, respectively, the former, d, being arranged to allow free exit for the spent gases, but to prevent ingress into the cylinder, while the latter, 6, is arranged to allow ingress of explosive mixture, but to prevent the egress of same on its explosion or when under pressure in the cylinder, and when making use of this arrangement of devices I mount the ignition-tube q in the position shown by Fig. 2 and broken lines, Fig. 1, so that by having an opening or passage q made in the piston 01 to lead to said ignition-tube q I am enabled to cover the passage in the walls of the cylinder to said tube g by the piston 01 at a time when the explosive charge therein is at a comparatively low pressure in both of them and open or uncover said passage by bringing the opening q opposite same when or after the pressure thereof has been considerably increased, by which means the explosive mixture, of increased pressure, can force its way into said ignitiontube against the pressure of gases therein, thus more certainly effecting ignition of the charge.

When not making use of the suction of the pistons d e, as above described, I then dispense with the valves (1 and e and make use of the pump 1", (for supplying the gas or hydrocarbon from or through the inlet r, in which is mounted a back-pressure valve r the airfeed port 19, leadinginto the inclosed casing 0, into which the valve 0 allows air to enter, the ignition-tube q,and the relief-valve t, as shown by Figs. 3, 4, and 5. The piston r of said pump 7' is operated by the adjustable compound rod .9, pivotally connected to the lever it, which is fixed upon the shaft 0 which derives its oscillatory motion from the lever 0, secured thereon, as this receives its motion from the lever 72.. The rod 8 is formedin two parts 8 s, the part 8 sliding within the part 3, so that by the pin 8 which is secured to the part 8, taking into and sliding in the slot 3 made in the part 8, this latter is moved to bring the piston r always to the same position outwardly, while by the hoop 3 being adjusted and secured on the part 8 atagreater or less distance from the end of the part 8 the piston r is respectively moved less or more into the pump-cylinder r. Hencealess or greater quantity of hydrocarbon is supplied to the cylinders 01 6 through the backpressure valve W, as may be found desirable.

The actions of the several parts above described are as follows: The pistons d a, starting on the explosion of the charge from their positions where they have compressed same, as shown by Fig. 1, move under the pressure of such explosion until the position shown by Fig. 6 is reached, after which the exhaustport 19 is opened and the spent gases escape thereby. Still the pistons continue to move outwardly until the extremity of their movement is reached, as shown by Fig. 7, this extra movement from the positions shown by Fig. 6 to those shown by Fig. 7, in case the devices shown by Figs. 1 and 2 are used, creating sufficient suction to draw into the cylinder an explosive charge through the port 19. On the return of said pistons d c from the position shown by Fig. 7 by the continued rotation of the crank n the piston e will be first brought to cover the feed-port 19, while the piston cl will continue to move until the exhaust-port p is reached, and during the return movements so far of this latter piston 61 it will have pressed or forced such of the spent gases as followed it beyond said exhaust-port out of same and against the advancing of the fresh charge taken in. g A

When the devices shown by Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are made use of, the advancing movements of the pistons, as above described, are utilized to increase the pressure of air within the casing 0, (which is inclosed,) so that on the airfeed portp being reached and uncovered by the moving of the piston :2 this air Within the casing 0 will rush through the cylinders b and a and charge them ready to receive the hydrocarbon, thus making'a better explosive mixtu re and one less contaminated with the spent gases, the return of the pistons d e to the covering of the ports 1) p, as above described, in this case also aiding the discharge of spent gases from the cylinders. When the pistons d e have returned until they have reached the positions shown by Fig. 4, at which time the piston 03 will have just closed the exhaustport 19, the compressing of the explosive charge commences and continues until the position shown by Fig. 1 is reached, at which time the explosion takes place and the cycle of actions recommences.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the piston e leads or moves in advance of the piston d throughout their respective movements and that by reason of this action the compression of the explosive charge is commenced with a less volume behind the pistons in the cylinders than is the volume of exploded gases therein when said pistons have been forced and moved outwardly until the piston d has reached and uncovered the exhaust-port p, the difference in this volume of gases within the cylinders being shown by the difference in the distances between the end of the cylinder and the piston e in broken and full lines, Fig. 6, or in full lines in both Figs. 4: and 6, in both cases the piston d being in the same position.

Instead of supporting the lever h by the 10'- ver 0 I may mount the supporting-pin 0 upon the connecting-rod v of the piston to, which I arrange to operate in the cylinder w,vsituated between the cylinders a. b, and this rod o I rigidly secure to the piston 20 and form it to slide in the supports y, secured to the fixed framework or casing of the mechanism, in which case the movements of the several parts are freely allowed and an extra cylinder is provided, or, again, I may employ two cylinders such as the one at 20', one to haveits pistons rod to support one end of the pin 0, While the other will support the other end of same.

To govern the actions of the engine when I employ the pump r for supplying the hydro- IIO 4 and operate the back pressure Valve 4", I

Opening same and forcing the charge in the cylinder 0' back into the main or inlet r, thus not feeding it to the explosion-chamber :c.

Having thus described the nature and object of my said invention, what I claim is- 1. In an engine of the class described, a cylinder having an inlet-port, a cylinder having an exhaust-port, pistons operating in said cylinders, a crank-shaft, an intermediate rigid connecting-piece extending rearward from the crank toward the two pistons and pivotally connected with the crank and pistons, and means for guiding said intermediate piece in a predetermined path during its recipro cations, whereby said crank-shaft is coupled to said pistons so that one piston leads the other, substantially as herein specified.

2. In an engine of the class described, a cylinder having an inlet-port, a cylinder having an exhaust-port, an explosion-chamber common to these cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, a crank-shaft and an intermediate connecting-piece extending rearward from the' crank toward the two pistons and pivotally connected with the crank and pistons, and means for guiding said connecting-piece in a predetermined path during its reciprocations to enable one piston to lead the other.

3. In an engine of the class described, two.

cylinders having a common explosion-chamber, pistons in said cylinders, connectingrods on said pistons, a triangular piece or three-armed lever pivotally connected to said rods and a crank to which said triangular piece is pivotally connected, in combination substantially as herein set forth.

4. In an engine of theclass described, aplurality of cylinders, pistons for said cylin ders, rods pivotally connected to said pistons, a crank, a triangular piece, connecting said rods to said crank, and a lever for supporting the triangular piece in combination substantially as herein specified.

5. In an engine of the class described, a plurality of cylinders, pistons to operate in the same, piston-rods, a crank-shaft, rigid connections separate from the crank-shaft and interposed between said crank-shaft and the piston-rods, and means for controlling the movements of said connections, whereby one piston will lead the other.

6. In an engine of the classdescribed, a plurality of cylinders, feed and exhaust ports having valves mounted within them in connection with said cylinders, pistons construct ed to operate in said cylinders and other means in conjunction with said pistons whereby after expansion and exhaust of the waste gases during movement of the pistons in one direction the charge is induced to enter the cylinders by the continued motion of said pistons and the other parts in the same direction whereby said pistons may be coupled to the crank and said crank in combination substantially as specified.

7. In an engine of the class described, a plurality of parallel cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders, a crank, a rigid connectingpiece for coupling said crank and said pistons together,means for controlling the movements of said connecting-piece, and apump for supplying the charge to said cylinders and means for operating said pump in combination substantially as herein specified.

8. In an engine of the class described, a plua crank, a rigid connecting-piece for coupling said crank to said pistons, means for controlling the movements of said connecting-piece, a casing for inclosing said crank and other parts, a valve mounted on said casing, an inlet-port leading from the interior of said casing to the interior of the cylinders and said casing in combination substantially as herein specified.

9. In an engine of the class described, a plurality of parallel cylinders, pistons for same, a crank, a rigid connecting-piece for coupling said crank to said pistons, means for controlling the movements of said connecting-piece a pump for supplying the charge to said cylinders, a governor on said pump whereby the charge when not required is forced back into the main, and means for operating same in combination substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my sig nature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK LISTER.

Witnesses:

JOHN WHITEHEAD, PIoKLEs BAILEY.

rality of parallel cylinders, pistons for same, 

